An essential health resource for current and former smokers

In our book and blog, we repeatedly stress the benefits of exercise and physical activity in general. Unfortunately, many people still associate working out simply with losing weight, not realizing its other multiple health benefits. What ends up happening is that people who are naturally thin or of normal weight, and can stay that way without much effort, become lax about incorporating physical activity into their lives. They figure, “I’m thin anyway, why sweat at the gym.”

It turns out that – even if they’re thin – people who don’t move are damaging their bodies. Research links lack of physical activity to a high risk of dying young, suffering a heart attack, stroke, diabetes, colon cancer, and having a weaker immune system. New evidence adds breast cancer to the growing list of diseases potentially caused by being sedentary.

A recent study presented at the 2014 International Conference on Obesity questioned close to 20,000 women (average age of 56) about their physical activity levels. 13 years later, they touched base with the participants to check on their overall health. 900 of the women had died during that time. The researchers found that the women who reported the lowest level of physical activity were 40% more likely to have developed breast cancer, irrespective of weight.

Unfortunately, being obese also increased one’s chances of developing breast cancer by close to 60%. The take home message is that if you’re an obese woman, incorporating physical activity into a healthy lifestyle is essential. But even for women who are already of normal weight, resting on your laurels isn’t a great idea either. It’s increasingly apparent that there’s virtually no one on this planet who would not benefit from moving.

One Response

This is a good article and it is true that a motivator for increasing exercise should not be limited to losing weight, but also reducing risk of disease or co-morbidity (if already in presence if disease). Further, if you have cancer for example, there are multiple side-effects of treatment that may be reduced by exercise participation, as well as reduced mortality rate. Come by my site for more info and also some patient scenarios (www.exerciseoncologyaustralia.com).

Disclaimer

All of the information presented on this site, in personal correspondence, and in our book (A Smoker's Guide to Health and Fitness) is not to be taken as advice for you or for any other specific individual. The information we present is for general informational purposes only. Any risks you incur or consequences you experience by using A Smoker's Guide to Health and Fitness or the content of this website or emails are solely your own responsibility. You are advised to take responsibility for your safety, be careful, not perform exercises beyond your level of fitness, experience, and ability, and keep at least your physician appraised of what you're doing. The information presented on our website, in emails, and in our book is NOT intended to replace any advice, diet, exercise routine, or treatment that may have been prescribed or given to you by your physician or any other qualified health care professional.